John 15:19
19If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you.
Jesus gave candid facts to the disciples about them no longer being of the world. He was unwilling to sugar coat the situation. "Of the world" refers to the human system as noted in the NIV Bible. The human system does the "what it feels, how it feels, when it feels" often without consideration of consequences. That is the world that Jesus said would oppose the disciples. The disciples bear witness to the true light which is Jesus Christ. Many hated Jesus (and still do) because He did not go along with the 'status quo' or what was considered normal to the Pharisees. As the disciples were His followers they too could expect the same treatment. We are no different from the disciples in that if we are truly willing to walk as Jesus calls us to, we then are in opposition to the human system. God's purpose works opposite in that it's not about the "what you feel, how you feel and when you feel" mindset. It's that we die to our own agendas and learn to accept God's agenda in our life even when we don't understand it. We let our TRUST in Him be our guide and operate in God's system (the minority) rather than the human system (the majority based on numbers). So what is a system? According to Merriam-Webster's Dictionary a system is defined as a regular method or order. As followers of Christ we do not operate according to the world's method but we operate in accordance to God's method. God's method cannot be comprehended and has a different set of results that actually leads to life. The human system usually leads to spiritual and even physical death when you take the human system. Are you seen as crazy for not thinking like everyone else? In this life, you will either conform to the world or stand out in it as the Lord deems. Jesus stands out too and that's why He's hated. Which system do you choose?
Tuesday, March 20, 2012
Monday, March 19, 2012
Afflicted
Psalm 119:67
67Before I was afflicted I went astray, but now I obey your word.
Psalm 119 is the longest psalm in the book of Psalms. The priest who wrote the psalm spoke not only about the word of God but about the error of his own ways. The priest was willing to admit that he had not always been on the right path. In order for him to get on the right path the Lord had to afflict him and teach him the error of his ways before he was willing to obey God's word. It's no different from any of us. None of us have always been sanctified and holy. Before any of us were willing to obey God's word, we all had gone astray. Some are still there but not willing to admit it. How many times have you gone astray? How many times will you continue to go astray? What has the Lord afflicted you with to teach you? Have you understood the lesson? Are you still in your affliction? How long do you need to be there before you know that where you are headed is the wrong direction? Are you willing to obey His word now? Or do you need to be afflicted some more?
67Before I was afflicted I went astray, but now I obey your word.
Psalm 119 is the longest psalm in the book of Psalms. The priest who wrote the psalm spoke not only about the word of God but about the error of his own ways. The priest was willing to admit that he had not always been on the right path. In order for him to get on the right path the Lord had to afflict him and teach him the error of his ways before he was willing to obey God's word. It's no different from any of us. None of us have always been sanctified and holy. Before any of us were willing to obey God's word, we all had gone astray. Some are still there but not willing to admit it. How many times have you gone astray? How many times will you continue to go astray? What has the Lord afflicted you with to teach you? Have you understood the lesson? Are you still in your affliction? How long do you need to be there before you know that where you are headed is the wrong direction? Are you willing to obey His word now? Or do you need to be afflicted some more?
Friday, March 16, 2012
You Don't Want That
1Samuel 8:19-20
19But the people refused to listen to Samuel. "No!" they said. "We want a king over us. 20Then we will be like all the other nations, with a king to lead us and to go out before us and fight our battles."
The prophet Samuel attempted to tell the people of Israel they were asking for something they really didn't want. They thought they wanted it but when Samuel told them what they were in for all the people of Israel were concerned with was "being like all the other nations." Sometimes being like all the others gets you into trouble. The people of Israel were not satisfied with the idea of the Lord being their guide. They refused to understand they were special. The Lord wasn't leading the other nations. He was leading Israel...His people. But they rejected God. And for it they paid. The people confirmed Saul as king to fight their battles. Yes, he fought their battles. Saul disobeyed the Lord more than once regarding going to battle. But when the Lord told him on one particular battle against the Amalekites not to allow the men to take any plunder and to spare no one, he didn't listen. The Amalekites were very detestable to God as they had once attempted to destroy Israel as they left Egypt. Anything of theirs that was obtained was tainted. And the idea of King Saul's men using anything from the Amalekites to be offered up to the Lord was unthinkable. Saul didn't obey. He refused to obey the Lord's instructions and so not only pronounced judgement over himself but also on Israel. It was his actions that led to continued hatred that would one day nearly destroy the Jews had it not been for the Lord placing Hadassah into position as Queen Esther. She risked her life to save them because an Amalekite named Haman who was a descendant of the king that Saul defeated, sought to erase them based on this historic battle. And her exposing Haman's plot led to the festival of Purim which the Jews celebrated last week.
Why is this important? One action leads to another. It took hundreds of years for Saul's actions to come full circle. After his entire family had been demolished, the people of Israel still had to pay for their choice. Asking for something that God doesn't really want for you is a sure way to pay a hefty price that you didn't bargain for. When the Lord says, "you don't want that", there is always a reason. Not listening can have consequences that span for years, hundreds in the case of the Israelites. The good news, in between all of this God had appointed David as King who was a man after His own heart. Yes in the middle of your mess, God can still bless you, but the price for the choice will be paid at some point. The question is when will it happen and who else will reap the consequences with you?
P.S. Check out my man V of the Artist to Artist Show on www.Qliveone.com Saturday at 8am CT/9am ET!
19But the people refused to listen to Samuel. "No!" they said. "We want a king over us. 20Then we will be like all the other nations, with a king to lead us and to go out before us and fight our battles."
The prophet Samuel attempted to tell the people of Israel they were asking for something they really didn't want. They thought they wanted it but when Samuel told them what they were in for all the people of Israel were concerned with was "being like all the other nations." Sometimes being like all the others gets you into trouble. The people of Israel were not satisfied with the idea of the Lord being their guide. They refused to understand they were special. The Lord wasn't leading the other nations. He was leading Israel...His people. But they rejected God. And for it they paid. The people confirmed Saul as king to fight their battles. Yes, he fought their battles. Saul disobeyed the Lord more than once regarding going to battle. But when the Lord told him on one particular battle against the Amalekites not to allow the men to take any plunder and to spare no one, he didn't listen. The Amalekites were very detestable to God as they had once attempted to destroy Israel as they left Egypt. Anything of theirs that was obtained was tainted. And the idea of King Saul's men using anything from the Amalekites to be offered up to the Lord was unthinkable. Saul didn't obey. He refused to obey the Lord's instructions and so not only pronounced judgement over himself but also on Israel. It was his actions that led to continued hatred that would one day nearly destroy the Jews had it not been for the Lord placing Hadassah into position as Queen Esther. She risked her life to save them because an Amalekite named Haman who was a descendant of the king that Saul defeated, sought to erase them based on this historic battle. And her exposing Haman's plot led to the festival of Purim which the Jews celebrated last week.
Why is this important? One action leads to another. It took hundreds of years for Saul's actions to come full circle. After his entire family had been demolished, the people of Israel still had to pay for their choice. Asking for something that God doesn't really want for you is a sure way to pay a hefty price that you didn't bargain for. When the Lord says, "you don't want that", there is always a reason. Not listening can have consequences that span for years, hundreds in the case of the Israelites. The good news, in between all of this God had appointed David as King who was a man after His own heart. Yes in the middle of your mess, God can still bless you, but the price for the choice will be paid at some point. The question is when will it happen and who else will reap the consequences with you?
P.S. Check out my man V of the Artist to Artist Show on www.Qliveone.com Saturday at 8am CT/9am ET!
Thursday, March 15, 2012
He Sees You
Hebrews 4:13
13Nothing in all creation is hidden from God's sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him whom we must give account.
Have you ever done something that you thought was in secret? Guess what? God knows. Have you ever had a thought you didn't want anyone to know about? Guess what? God knows. Have you ever wondered if anyone knows what you do and don't do after Sunday Service? Guess what? God knows. God is privy to everything we think, say and do. Nothing done in secret is really a secret. Just because the Lord doesn't expose one at that moment doesn't mean He doesn't know. The Lord can use anything at anytime to expose. The final judgement doesn't have to arrive in order for exposure to take place. God can use the Holy Spirit to come upon a person and expose an action or thought. God can also use a situation to uncover whatever He desires the light to be shed upon. Whether good or bad, all thoughts, words and deeds are done in the presence of God. The next time you think, say or do something, just know that though you can't see God, He sees you.
P.S. Thank you to the Church Beat Radio family for your support!!! Check out Church Beat Radio at www.churchbeatradio.com!
13Nothing in all creation is hidden from God's sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him whom we must give account.
Have you ever done something that you thought was in secret? Guess what? God knows. Have you ever had a thought you didn't want anyone to know about? Guess what? God knows. Have you ever wondered if anyone knows what you do and don't do after Sunday Service? Guess what? God knows. God is privy to everything we think, say and do. Nothing done in secret is really a secret. Just because the Lord doesn't expose one at that moment doesn't mean He doesn't know. The Lord can use anything at anytime to expose. The final judgement doesn't have to arrive in order for exposure to take place. God can use the Holy Spirit to come upon a person and expose an action or thought. God can also use a situation to uncover whatever He desires the light to be shed upon. Whether good or bad, all thoughts, words and deeds are done in the presence of God. The next time you think, say or do something, just know that though you can't see God, He sees you.
P.S. Thank you to the Church Beat Radio family for your support!!! Check out Church Beat Radio at www.churchbeatradio.com!
Wednesday, March 14, 2012
A Unique Inheritance
Psalm 47:4
4He chose our inheritance for us, the pride of Jacob, whom he loved. Selah
The psalmist recalled the love of God and praised Him for what He's done for Israel, the descendants of Abraham. The psalmist praised God for choosing such a wonderful inheritance for the ones He called His people. The inheritance is the promise land. It was the land that He promised Abraham and those under Egyptian rule. If you are in relationship with Christ, there's an inheritance for you also. Jesus told the disciples that where He had to go would have many mansions and He'd prepare a place for each of us. That sounds like an inheritance doesn't it?. But that's a long way off you say? Well the Lord also has an inheritance for us here on earth as well. How so? When the Lord created each of us, He knew exactly who He wanted us to be and what He wanted for each of us. The catch is we have to seek Him before we get to the inheritance. Yes, the Lord has something special for each of us. Peace, love, joy yes these are all part of the inheritance but there's something unique just for you. Many of us miss out on the inheritance because we're too busy looking at what the Lord created for someone else. Whatever you pick as your inheritance here on earth still will never measure up to what the Lord has uniquely for you. Why? Because we often think less of ourselves than what the Lord thinks of us. Therefore, we pick what we think we're worth. The Lord always believes we're worth more than we think because He fashioned us after Him.
P.S. Tune into my girl Stubbs on the Leap of Faith Network at www.leapoffaithshow.com!
4He chose our inheritance for us, the pride of Jacob, whom he loved. Selah
The psalmist recalled the love of God and praised Him for what He's done for Israel, the descendants of Abraham. The psalmist praised God for choosing such a wonderful inheritance for the ones He called His people. The inheritance is the promise land. It was the land that He promised Abraham and those under Egyptian rule. If you are in relationship with Christ, there's an inheritance for you also. Jesus told the disciples that where He had to go would have many mansions and He'd prepare a place for each of us. That sounds like an inheritance doesn't it?. But that's a long way off you say? Well the Lord also has an inheritance for us here on earth as well. How so? When the Lord created each of us, He knew exactly who He wanted us to be and what He wanted for each of us. The catch is we have to seek Him before we get to the inheritance. Yes, the Lord has something special for each of us. Peace, love, joy yes these are all part of the inheritance but there's something unique just for you. Many of us miss out on the inheritance because we're too busy looking at what the Lord created for someone else. Whatever you pick as your inheritance here on earth still will never measure up to what the Lord has uniquely for you. Why? Because we often think less of ourselves than what the Lord thinks of us. Therefore, we pick what we think we're worth. The Lord always believes we're worth more than we think because He fashioned us after Him.
P.S. Tune into my girl Stubbs on the Leap of Faith Network at www.leapoffaithshow.com!
Tuesday, March 13, 2012
The Grace of Giving
2Corinthians 8:12
12For if the willingness is there; the gift is acceptable according to what one has, not according to what he does not have.
The apostle Paul encouraged the church of Corinth to give just as the Macedonians had given. But what the apostle Paul wanted to show was the 'grace of giving', the willingness to give with sincerity. Have you ever met someone who gave something but did so only out of obligation or because they were told to do so? What about one who gives because they want to give? There's a difference. One who does so out of obligation will not be happy about what they're giving and will likely complain about it. One who desires to give will do so with a smile and will not hold it over anyone. Remember, God looks at the heart. It's the heart behind the action that counts with the Lord. Anything done just because of obligation is robotic. No matter how much or how little one is able to give. If the desire to give is present, it will count in the Lord's eyes. If the willingness is not there, then the gift is not acceptable. Do you give with a willingness because you want to? Or do you give because you're obligated to do so? Has anyone presented you with something in the same fashion? How did it make you feel? Did it make you want to give back what was given to you because it seemed insincere? If it seems insincere to you, how do you think the Lord sees it? The Lord examines ALL motives. If you're going to give, do it with grace. No one can give as much as Jesus has given but it's a start.
12For if the willingness is there; the gift is acceptable according to what one has, not according to what he does not have.
The apostle Paul encouraged the church of Corinth to give just as the Macedonians had given. But what the apostle Paul wanted to show was the 'grace of giving', the willingness to give with sincerity. Have you ever met someone who gave something but did so only out of obligation or because they were told to do so? What about one who gives because they want to give? There's a difference. One who does so out of obligation will not be happy about what they're giving and will likely complain about it. One who desires to give will do so with a smile and will not hold it over anyone. Remember, God looks at the heart. It's the heart behind the action that counts with the Lord. Anything done just because of obligation is robotic. No matter how much or how little one is able to give. If the desire to give is present, it will count in the Lord's eyes. If the willingness is not there, then the gift is not acceptable. Do you give with a willingness because you want to? Or do you give because you're obligated to do so? Has anyone presented you with something in the same fashion? How did it make you feel? Did it make you want to give back what was given to you because it seemed insincere? If it seems insincere to you, how do you think the Lord sees it? The Lord examines ALL motives. If you're going to give, do it with grace. No one can give as much as Jesus has given but it's a start.
Monday, March 12, 2012
Who Dwells in Your House
Psalm 26:8
8I love the house where you live,
O Lord,
the place where your glory dwells.
David recited this prayer asking for God's discernment on one who has served faithfully and to not let him suffer a death like those of the wicked. David asked God to restore him. David said he loves the house where the Lord lives. Before Jesus bestowed the Holy Spirit among us, the Lord would only dwell in the tabernacle and the temple. Only the priests could enter the Lord's presence in the tabernacle. But now, because Jesus paid the price for our sins and sent the Holy Spirit, we have free access to the Lord. But just because there's a physical building, it doesn't mean the Lord is there. Where does the Lord live? He can live within us through the Holy Spirit if we let Him. The church is the people. If we are filled with love for the Lord and call upon Him to send His Holy Spirit, then the Lord can be wherever we are. The Lord can be in our home, job, school, car, wherever we are. Yes, like TV, On-Demand. Too many of us only seek His presence once a week if that. Why not let it be everyday? Or is it that we only want His presence when it suits our lifestyle? Wouldn't you rather be wherever the Lord is? The Lord provides love, safety, counsel, joy, laughter, comfort, peace and the list goes on. Who doesn't want any of these? Does not the Lord dwell in your house? If he doesn't, then who does?
8I love the house where you live,
O Lord,
the place where your glory dwells.
David recited this prayer asking for God's discernment on one who has served faithfully and to not let him suffer a death like those of the wicked. David asked God to restore him. David said he loves the house where the Lord lives. Before Jesus bestowed the Holy Spirit among us, the Lord would only dwell in the tabernacle and the temple. Only the priests could enter the Lord's presence in the tabernacle. But now, because Jesus paid the price for our sins and sent the Holy Spirit, we have free access to the Lord. But just because there's a physical building, it doesn't mean the Lord is there. Where does the Lord live? He can live within us through the Holy Spirit if we let Him. The church is the people. If we are filled with love for the Lord and call upon Him to send His Holy Spirit, then the Lord can be wherever we are. The Lord can be in our home, job, school, car, wherever we are. Yes, like TV, On-Demand. Too many of us only seek His presence once a week if that. Why not let it be everyday? Or is it that we only want His presence when it suits our lifestyle? Wouldn't you rather be wherever the Lord is? The Lord provides love, safety, counsel, joy, laughter, comfort, peace and the list goes on. Who doesn't want any of these? Does not the Lord dwell in your house? If he doesn't, then who does?
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